I remember the first conversation I had with an inquiring person in reference to my teaching pursuit:

Person:  “So, what do you want to teach?”

Me:  “English and Social Studies.”

Person:  “How nice… what grade level are you thinking?”

Me:  “I think I would be a great fit in a middle school.”

Person:  “Middle school?! I could never do that!  No way.”

This is an exchange I have encountered many times since.  So I have been left questioning myself: “Why does the mere mention of middle school carry such a stigmatized reaction?”

Yes, all middle school aged kids are trapped somewhere between a child, a teenager and an adult, but it is this state of being that is so wonderful to teach.  I embrace and adore (don’t tell my students) the level of energy they bring to the classroom.  In the hallways, they sometimes lack the  common courtesy of letting a passerby make their way through (even me) the vast sea of voices and bodies they create; however, in my experience, they are engaged in the classroom whether it be for the right or, sometimes, wrong reasons ( “Ms. Kimmes, are you married?”  No, but did you know that the monks couldn’t marry?) in my classroom.  As a teacher, I have to say, having them engaged is always an opportunity for learning.

Did I enjoy teaching at a high school level?  Yes.  Would I do it again?  Yes.  I feel lucky to have been paired with an intellectual cooperating teacher and high-performing student body during my high school experience.

I do have to say, though, that I think I have found my niche in middle school.  I have been told again and again that kids this age are “punks,” or “jerks,” or “hard to handle.”  I will acknowledge that, yes, some days are harder to handle than others, but that my students in their transitional form are a good fit for this teacher.  I am not a scientist, but I analyze, measure, and evaluate these middle-school students on a daily basis—and guess what?   They’re open to learning and it’s hard to find that in many age groups.

So despite the fact that many view middle-schoolers as creatures that have exoskeletons or could grow wings and fly away—good news—they don’t, and they won’t. The power to reach them lies in good parenting and good teaching.  And I most certainly need to give props to my cooperating teacher, Mrs. Davidson for showing me the way at Boring Middle School.